Mairlyn Elaine Higgins Blok of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully on a beautiful spring day on Friday, April 20, 2018 to the loving comfort of singing provided by Hospice caregivers. A tribute to her life is planned starting with visitation Tuesday, April 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 J.F.K. Road, in Dubuque. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2018 starting at Grand View United Methodist Church, 3342 John Wesley Drive, Dubuque, with Rev. Thomas Shinkle officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Farley, Iowa.

Mairlyn was born on December 25, 1933 in Farley, Iowa the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Reimer) Rowe. Each Christmas would be a double celebration in honor of the birth of Christ and the birth of a truly beautiful woman loved by her family and many, many friends.

Mairlyn graduated from Dubuque Senior High School with the class of 1952. She married Warren C. Higgins Sr. June 25, 1953; he preceded her in death in 1979. For several decades she voluntarily organized memorable reunions and events for her classmates. In 1998 she retired from Finley Hospital after 28 years of service as Executive Assistant to the President and Human Resources. Mairlyn was a hard worker who also took part-time positions to help make ends meet while raising her sons on her own. A few of those employers through the years included JoAnn’s Dress Shop, the Sunflower Dress Shop, and the Redstone Bed and Breakfast. For 30 years Mairlyn also served as part-time Executive Secretary to the Dubuque County Medical Society.

In July of 1985 Mairlyn married Cleland Noah of Santa Rosa, CA. They enjoyed a loving union for only two short years due to a short illness that took his life in 1987. During that time they traveled and enjoyed life to the fullest.

In May of 1997 she once again found happiness and love and married Robert W. Blok of East Dubuque, IL. He preceded her in death in 2016. For nearly 20 years they traveled and attended social and volunteer events with their wide connection of friends. She would often organize large group events for shopping and to attend plays throughout the Midwest.

A critical auto accident in 2011 nearly took her life, but her faith was insurmountable. Her inspiration during the hardest times came from Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. She was eventually able to walk again in 2013 after several surgeries, however, a double stroke eventually placed her into 24-hour care for the remainder of her life. We wish to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Society of Davenport, IA, The Village of Legacy Point of Waukee, IA, and Suncrest Hospice of West Des Moines for their care and attention to her needs.

Her love for family kept her strong. Mushroom-hunting outings and years of month-long summer trips to Minnesota will be remembered by her sons. She will also be remembered for her deep love and attention to each grandchild, insisting that she spend personal time with each of them. It was her mission to take each of them to Disney World even when she could barely afford it. She had no greater joy than to see her family members succeed in their own unique ways, and for them to find happiness in their lives. She made great effort to be as involved as possible in her family’s lives. Her earthly presence and love will be missed by us all, but we know she will be watching over us until we all reunite in Heaven one day.

Surviving are her children; Warren (Julie) Higgins Jr. of Fremont, NE and their children Brad Higgins (Alexandria Cudworth and son Elijah) and Michelle (Reece) Kresser and son Benjamin; Paul (Tracy) Higgins of Flower Mound, TX and Brett (Diane) Higgins of Van Meter, IA and their children Boyd (Katie) Higgins and son Jack, and Jenna (Ryan) Boll.

The youngest of her siblings, Mairlyn was also preceded in death by brothers John (Pat) Rowe, and Laverne (Marion) Rowe, and sisters Betty Lou (who died as an infant), Edith (Edward) Kunau, and Esther (Howard) Walter.

As avid supporters of many causes, Mairlyn was especially fond of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in support of helping find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Memorial donations will be collected and submitted in her honor. Checks may be made payable to Brett Higgins – all proceeds will be submitted to JDRF in Mairlyn’s honor. Because JDRF is a 501(c)(3) organization, proceeds will be doubled through employer matching by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Thank you FHLB of Des Moines.